September 17, 2012

A poster for Victor L. Berger, on display at the Wisconsin Historical Museum. Berger ran on the Socialist ticket.

Berger was a founder of the Socialist Party of America in 1901....

Berger ran for Congress and lost in 1904 before winning Wisconsin's 5th congressional district seat in 1910 as the first Socialist to serve in the United States Congress. In Congress, he focused on issues related to the District of Columbia and also more radical proposals, including eliminating the President's veto, abolishing the Senate, and the social takeover of major industries. Berger gained national publicity for his old-age pension bill, the first of its kind introduced into Congress.

Here's a closeup of the small poster at the corner of that display — replete with historical graffiti:

40 comments:

"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened."

Actually, Althouse #1 trained seal, when one joins the military they no longer fall under the U.S. Constitution. Rather, they are now Uncle Sam's property beholden to the UCMJ and military regulations.

Also interesting much as the military tries to make it "mandatory" the majority of U.S. servicemen/women don't vote.

"They fight for our freedom on the front lines, but members of our military could have less of an impact at the ballot box this year.

Estimates say that the number of troops who will end up voting in the November could be down by more than a third.

"We could see an election where turnout is down 25 or 35 percent," predicts Eric Eversole, executive director of the Military Voter Protection Project, which brands this year’s predicted military voter participation levels as "bleak."

In the crucial swing state of Ohio, the group’s report found that only 3.3 percent of the eligible military voters have requested ballots as of Aug. 21.

North Carolina had even less, just 1.7 percent, Virginia a scant 1.4 percent. And the key state of Florida reported a rate of 15.7 percent."

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I believe Big Mike is an idiot. ok, that's a lie as I'm certain Big Mike is an idiot!

Actually, Althouse #1 trained seal, when one joins the military they no longer fall under the U.S. Constitution. Rather, they are now Uncle Sam's property beholden to the UCMJ and military regulations.

I was talking about the oath, not what legal system.

He can't read, either.

Also interesting much as the military tries to make it "mandatory" the majority of U.S. servicemen/women don't vote.

Like to hear some of our real vets weigh in on this.

You will stay around to answer questions, won't you?

I believe Big Mike is an idiot. ok, that's a lie as I'm certain Big Mike is an idiot!

"when one joins the military they no longer fall under the U.S. Constitution. Rather, they are now Uncle Sam's property beholden to the UCMJ and military regulations."

And those of us who've actually served in the U.S. military take an oath to defend The Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. Did you miss that part moron?Is the reason for your lack of reading skills because you were given a Chicago public school education.

Generally when Socialists are written about, they are commended for their forward social attitudes. Their support of social security and disability insurance are always mentioned. Their more hare brained schemes are left on the cutting room floor.....I thank Althouse for her mention of Berger's vision of eliminating the Senate and the Presidential veto. I read Amity Shlaes book about the New Deal, The Forgotten Man. I wonder how many people know that the Agricultual Adjustment Administration sent a group of "farm experts" to the USSR to study the useful lessons that the USA could learn from the collective farm system there.